Best games
Best Strategy games of 2006
The 22 best Strategy games released in 2006, ranked from 2,524 critic and player ratings.
The best Strategy game of 2006 is Company of Heroes, with a critic score of 95/100 — updated August 2026.
01
Company of Heroes
Command the company that changed the face of history! Battle your way across Europe as your troops make intuitive use of the terrain and buildings for cover and mount attacks on an equally intelligent enemy. Your Mission. Your Men. Your Decisions.
95
/100
02
Dwarf Fortress
93
/100
03
DEFCON
You play the role of a military commander hidden deep within an underground bunker. Your mission - to successfully exterminate your enemy's civilian population whilst disabling their ability to attack your own. Start by launching your battleships, submarines, and bombers in order to decimate your opponent's defences. Scramble together your alliances, but remember only one can stand victorious. Prepare your pre-emptive strike before one of your supposed allies get the same idea. Choose the perfect moment for betrayal, obliterating your opponents with an apocalyptic thermonuclear barrage, but get it wrong and their devastating counter attack will bring you to your knees!
85
/100
Company of Heroes
Command the company that changed the face of history! Battle your way across Europe as your troops make intuitive use of the terrain and buildings for cover and mount attacks on an equally intelligent enemy. Your Mission. Your Men. Your Decisions.
95
/100
02
Dwarf Fortress
93
/100
03
DEFCON
You play the role of a military commander hidden deep within an underground bunker. Your mission - to successfully exterminate your enemy's civilian population whilst disabling their ability to attack your own. Start by launching your battleships, submarines, and bombers in order to decimate your opponent's defences. Scramble together your alliances, but remember only one can stand victorious. Prepare your pre-emptive strike before one of your supposed allies get the same idea. Choose the perfect moment for betrayal, obliterating your opponents with an apocalyptic thermonuclear barrage, but get it wrong and their devastating counter attack will bring you to your knees!
85
/100
04
Civilization IV: Warlords
84
/100
05
Disciples II: Gallean's Return
84
/100
06
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Dark Crusade
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Dark Crusade is a real-time strategy game set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. Players command one of several factions, each with distinct units and playstyles, as they battle for control of the planet Kronus through base building and squad-based combat. The game features a non-linear campaign where territories are conquered across a global map, along with customizable commanders who gain equipment and abilities over time. Expanded faction variety and multiplayer options add strategic depth and replayability.
84
/100
07
The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky SC
The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky SC is the second installment in the main Trails series, serving as a direct sequel to the events of the The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky. The game follows Estelle sets out to a new adventure, after completing some training by the Bracer Guild to prepare for that adventure. Comrades both old and new join your team in this story-driven RPG with new combat mechanics and other features that improve the gameplay experience from the first entry.
80
/100
08
S
Guild Wars: Nightfall
In Guild Wars Nightfall, the third campaign in the award-winning Guild Wars universe, you will never face danger alone. Not only can you group with any of millions of players worldwide, but now, for the first time ever, you'll be able to band together with customizable Heroes that will not only fight by your side, but level up with your character and follow your orders as you fight to hold back the night.
80
/100
09
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Double Agent
The best-selling Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell saga takes on an entirely new direction. In the highly anticipated sequel to the 2005 game of the year, Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Double Agent, play as a double agent spy for the first time ever. Take on dual roles of covert operative and ruthless terrorist, where your choices of whom to betray and whom to protect actually affect the outcome of your game. Experience the relentless tension and gut-wrenching dilemmas of life as a double agent. Lie. Kill. Sabotage. Betray. All to protect the innocent. How far will you go to gain the enemy's trust? As covert operative Sam Fisher, you must infiltrate a vicious terrorist group and destroy it from within. You'll need to carefully weigh the consequences of your actions. Kill too many terrorists and you'll blow your cover. Hesitate and millions will die. Do whatever it takes to complete your mission, but get out alive. Double agent gameplay and branching storyline - Play both sides and decide between opposing NSA and terrorists objectives. You choose who's priorities to support, and who's to undermine. Your actions affect the story and gameplay, leading to shockingly different endings. Upgradeable weapons and gadgets - As you progress get access to upgraded prototype gadgets and weapons, like improved night vision, based on your choices and covert skills. Authentic double agent tactics - Use realistic tactics, based on testimonies of actual undercover agents, to sabotage the enemies' plans. Use realistic upgradable weapons and gadgets. Play multiplayer or co-op with 2-6 players online or system link.
79
/100
10
Rome: Total War - Alexander
79
/100
11
Star Wars: Empire at War
79
/100
12
Anno 1701 A.D.
78
/100
13
Heroes of Might and Magic V
77
/100
14
Sid Meier's Railroads!
77
/100
15
Viva Piñata
75
/100
16
Roblox
71
/100
17
Cossacks 2: Battle for Europe
69
/100
18
Heroes of Might & Magic V: Hammers of Fate
66
/100
19
Desperados 2: Cooper's Revenge
66
/100
20
Heroes of Annihilated Empires
65
/100
21
The Sims 2: Pets
64
/100
22
Heroes of Might and Magic V: Hammers of Fate
50
/100
Civilization IV: Warlords
84
/100
05
Disciples II: Gallean's Return
84
/100
06
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Dark Crusade
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Dark Crusade is a real-time strategy game set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. Players command one of several factions, each with distinct units and playstyles, as they battle for control of the planet Kronus through base building and squad-based combat. The game features a non-linear campaign where territories are conquered across a global map, along with customizable commanders who gain equipment and abilities over time. Expanded faction variety and multiplayer options add strategic depth and replayability.
84
/100
07
The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky SC
The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky SC is the second installment in the main Trails series, serving as a direct sequel to the events of the The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky. The game follows Estelle sets out to a new adventure, after completing some training by the Bracer Guild to prepare for that adventure. Comrades both old and new join your team in this story-driven RPG with new combat mechanics and other features that improve the gameplay experience from the first entry.
80
/100
08
S
Guild Wars: Nightfall
In Guild Wars Nightfall, the third campaign in the award-winning Guild Wars universe, you will never face danger alone. Not only can you group with any of millions of players worldwide, but now, for the first time ever, you'll be able to band together with customizable Heroes that will not only fight by your side, but level up with your character and follow your orders as you fight to hold back the night.
80
/100
09
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Double Agent
The best-selling Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell saga takes on an entirely new direction. In the highly anticipated sequel to the 2005 game of the year, Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Double Agent, play as a double agent spy for the first time ever. Take on dual roles of covert operative and ruthless terrorist, where your choices of whom to betray and whom to protect actually affect the outcome of your game. Experience the relentless tension and gut-wrenching dilemmas of life as a double agent. Lie. Kill. Sabotage. Betray. All to protect the innocent. How far will you go to gain the enemy's trust? As covert operative Sam Fisher, you must infiltrate a vicious terrorist group and destroy it from within. You'll need to carefully weigh the consequences of your actions. Kill too many terrorists and you'll blow your cover. Hesitate and millions will die. Do whatever it takes to complete your mission, but get out alive. Double agent gameplay and branching storyline - Play both sides and decide between opposing NSA and terrorists objectives. You choose who's priorities to support, and who's to undermine. Your actions affect the story and gameplay, leading to shockingly different endings. Upgradeable weapons and gadgets - As you progress get access to upgraded prototype gadgets and weapons, like improved night vision, based on your choices and covert skills. Authentic double agent tactics - Use realistic tactics, based on testimonies of actual undercover agents, to sabotage the enemies' plans. Use realistic upgradable weapons and gadgets. Play multiplayer or co-op with 2-6 players online or system link.
79
/100
10
Rome: Total War - Alexander
79
/100
11
Star Wars: Empire at War
79
/100
12
Anno 1701 A.D.
78
/100
13
Heroes of Might and Magic V
77
/100
14
Sid Meier's Railroads!
77
/100
15
Viva Piñata
75
/100
16
Roblox
71
/100
17
Cossacks 2: Battle for Europe
69
/100
18
Heroes of Might & Magic V: Hammers of Fate
66
/100
19
Desperados 2: Cooper's Revenge
66
/100
20
Heroes of Annihilated Empires
65
/100
21
The Sims 2: Pets
64
/100
22
Heroes of Might and Magic V: Hammers of Fate
50
/100
FAQ
What is the best Strategy game of 2006?
Company of Heroes currently tops the ranking with a score of 95/100 across 245 ratings. Ranking updated August 2026.
How is this ranking built?
Games are ranked on their aggregated critic score out of 100, with a minimum vote threshold so a single glowing review never outranks a proven classic; the Tier community's own F-to-S grades are shown alongside each game.